The contract value for the purchase of the aircraft was US$22 billion. At an exchange rate of Rp 14,000 per US dollar, that is equivalent to Rp 308 trillion.
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KRIS MADA, ROBERTUS BENNY DWI KOESTANTO, IQBAL BASYARI
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DOKUMENTASI KBRI PARIS
The Indonesian Minister of Defense, Prabowo Subianto, held a bilateral meeting with the French Minister of Defense, Florence Parly, at the French Defense Ministry Office in Paris, Monday (13/1/2020).
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The purchase of 42 Rafale fighter jets from France and the plan to procure 36 F-15ID fighter jets from the United States, as well as the exploration of the purchase of two Scorpene-class submarines from France, has presented both challenges and opportunities in the national defense system. The government can use the transactions to enhance the governance and posture of national defense.
The US and France announced the plans for the arms sale almost simultaneously. French Defense Minister Florence Parly disclosed the sale of the Rafale and Scorpene on Thursday (10/2/2022) afternoon in Jakarta. The US State Department announced its approval of the sale of 36 F-15IDs a few hours later.
The contract value for the purchase of the aircraft was US$22 billion. At an exchange rate of Rp 14,000 per US dollar, that is equivalent to Rp 308 trillion. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said the approval of the proposed sale would support US foreign policy and national security goals, which were to increase the security of the US' regional partners in order to maintain political stability and economic progress in Asia-Pacific.
Upon being approved by congress, Indonesia can negotiate with Boeing as the contractor.
The purchase of the F-15ID is still awaiting US congressional approval. As reported by Bloomberg, the US congress has 30 days to review the planned sale of the 36 F-15IDs to Indonesia. Upon being approved by congress, Indonesia can negotiate with Boeing as the contractor.
In Jakarta, Dave Laksono, a member of House of Representatives Commission I belonging to the Golkar Party, said on Friday (11/2) that Commission I planned to summon Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto for a hearing over the announced purchase of fighter aircraft and other defense equipment.
According to Lab45 coordinator Andi Widjajanto, the procurement of the aircraft was within the framework of the national defense development plan, which was drawn up in 2006. He said even if all the weapons were realized as required, Indonesia would still fall short of fulfilling its air defense development plan.
AFP/NICOLAS TUCAT
This file photo taken on June 5, 2021 shows crew members standing next to a Rafale jet fighter on the deck of the French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle, off the coast of Toulon. - Indonesia on February 10, 2022 ordered 42 Rafale fighter jets from France, as Paris and Jakarta seek to strengthen miliary ties in the facing of growing tensions in the Asia-Pacific.
Evan A Laksmana, a researcher at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy was of a similar opinion, saying that the arrival of the fighter aircraft would not affect Indonesia's air strength strategically.
However, Andi and Evan appreciated the government's decision to buy the Rafale and F-15ID. For the purchase of the Rafale, Indonesia will become the fourth user — not the second, as reported by Kompas earlier (11/2) — in Asia after Qatar, India and the United Arab Emirates.
The choice of different suppliers for arms procurement, he added, would make Indonesia relatively free from potential embargoes.
While being forced to dig deep into financial budget for procurement, maintenance and training, Evan said, Indonesia was poised to improve the governance of the national armaments with the planned arrival of Rafale and F-15ID fighter jets. The choice of different suppliers for arms procurement, he added, would make Indonesia relatively free from potential embargoes.
Central Initiative chairman Al Araf warned against brokerage in the procurement of the defense equipment, saying the government must engage directly with the producers, not through a third party. (SYA/BEN/RAZ)
